Chapter 85

MANNIE’S POV

"Hey Beth, there is a late night hold up. It may be a bit late, and I wouldn't be staying out for long 'cause of my kids." I exclaimed softly as I looked at the slowly moving vehicles ahead of me.

The red brake lights stretched out into the distance like a long, tired ribbon. My forehead pressed lightly against the cold window of the taxi as frustration curled in my chest. Cars barely moved. The streetlights flickered against the windshield, smudging yellow light across the glass.

Beth didn’t answer immediately.

The silence made my stomach twist.

Her silence always meant something.

She was loud—usually the first to talk, the first to joke.

So when she went quiet like this… it said a lot more than words.

My fingers tapped my thigh nervously.

“I don’t know if she’s hurt or something,” I muttered under my breath, trying to keep my voice low so the driver wouldn’t hear my personal drama.

She finally answered.

"Get here first."

And the call cut with her voice.

Just like that.

My heart dropped a little.

“She… she is definitely hurt,” I whispered to myself, my voice almost swallowed by the low hum of the engine.

I couldn’t blame her. Not really.

Life wasn’t the same anymore.

Between the kids, the job, the contract with Dominic, and trying to stay sane… I wasn’t as available as I used to be.

Before, we were the trio that stayed out late. The last to leave any hangout.

Laughing loudly.

Talking loudly.

Sometimes crying loudly.

Now?

We barely found space to breathe.

Among us, Beth was the only one who was genuinely doing well — career, travel, money, everything.

Kayla worked long hours in a bar.

I was still building myself from scratch.

And if not for Dominic’s payments…

I wouldn’t be sitting in a taxi heading to see a friend right now. I’d be home checking the last grains of rice left.

That thought alone made my chest tighten.

At least now I had savings.

An emergency fund.

A future that didn’t look blurry anymore.

I didn’t plan to think about a new house until after the contract ended with Dominic.

One step at a time.

One problem at a time.

The cars finally crawled forward.

“Thank God,” I whispered as I leaned back.

After a few more minutes, the cab slowed down in front of the restaurant. The small familiar signboard flickered weakly on one side, as if one more blink would make it fall off.

The building looked older. Tired.

The paint peeled off like snake skin. Time had chewed at it without mercy.

But the smell—That warm, smoky, spicy scent— It welcomed me like a hug.

“Ma’am—” the driver started, but I cut him off quickly.

“Thank you,” I said, already pressing the money into his hand before he finished the sentence.

I stepped out.

The evening air brushed my face, warm and dusty. The cab drove off immediately, leaving me staring at the restaurant.

A small smile tugged at my lips.

This place held too many memories.

“I guess she is inside,” I whispered after scanning the customers sitting outside and not finding her.

I pulled my bag closer to my shoulder and walked in.

The door creaked the same way it always had.

That old, stubborn sound. The floor still made a faint crack under my weight.

And there she was.

Beth sat at the corner table near the window, her head tilted back slightly as she gulped down the last drop of beer.

I couldn’t help it. I smiled my lips curling up.

“You drinking already?” I said as I approached her.

She didn’t even look guilty.

She swallowed, wiped her lips with the back of her hand and—

Belch.

“No choice. Felt lonely,” she replied, shrugging like the beer had been a loyal friend who showed up early.

I sat opposite her and gave an awkward smile.

“Sorry about that. Your coming back was a surprise none of us were prepared for and… life is kinda hard.” My voice dropped a little.

She nodded slowly.

“Mmm… I understand.”

Then she smiled, soft and small. “How are your kids?”

“They’re all fine,” I answered, and the warmth in my chest eased some of the tension on my shoulders.

For a moment, neither of us talked.

Then she leaned forward, elbows on the table.

“So what brought you back?” I asked gently.

Her eyes moved away from me.

They drifted to the window. To the street outside. To anything but my face.

That reaction alone made my stomach twist.

She didn’t want to answer.

I pushed gently, “And your job? Did something happen at home?”

Silence stretched.

Her lips pressed together. Her eyes stayed glued to the window.

It said everything without saying anything.

“I missed my home country and just decided to come back,” she finally said, her voice too light. Too practiced. “As for how long I would stay… well, I haven't decided yet.”

The air changed.

It felt heavy.

Tense.

Like something unsaid hovered above the table.

And I hated it.

I hated awkward silences.

I hated when things went unsaid.

I hated when emotions sat thick in the air and swallowed us whole.

So I straightened, forced a smile, and raised my voice toward the back of the restaurant.

“Let’s eat,” I said quickly. “Mrs. Debbie! Two plates of fried rice with your 5-star meat!”

Beth chuckled softly beside me.

“Sigh… still the same way you always call her out whenever we come here.”

Some things never changed.

I turned back to Beth. My eyes softened.

“I don’t know what happened to you, Beth,” I said quietly. “But if you need us… I and Kayla will be here.”

She bit her lip, then nodded slowly.

“Mmm. Thank you.”

Before I could say more—

A loud voice echoed from behind.

“Wow… Mannie… Beth… you girls remembered me today!”

Mrs. Debbie came toward us, carrying a tray with two plates of steaming fried rice and thick, juicy meat glistening on top.

I laughed.

“Yes o! It’s been so long.”

“Too long!” She placed the plates down. “Where’s Kayla?”

“Night shift,” I said.

Her eyes widened.

“Oh… she later read the nursing she wanted to study. That’s great!”

My heart dropped.

I inhaled slowly.

I couldn’t let that misunderstanding stay. Not with her loud mouth.

“Um… Mrs. Debbie…” I started.

She paused and looked at me.

“Kayla didn’t get to study it,” I said gently. “She’s working now but… not that kind.”

“Oh…” Mrs. Debbie sighed deeply. “What happened? Sigh… never mind. At least you girls are alive. Thank God for that.”

A customer outside called for her.

“Mrs. Debbie! My favorite please!”

“Coming!” she called back. Then she looked at us one more time. “Y’all are big girls now. Let me attend to the customers.”

We nodded and waved.

Beth let out a small laugh.

“Thanks for the meal.”

I watched her smile.

But something inside me twisted.

The smile didn’t reach her eyes.Not even close.

Still, I forced myself to say, “Let’s eat.”

I dug my spoon into the food, trying to keep things light.

But the atmosphere I had tried to fix slowly crept back.

Quiet.

Heavy.

Sad.

And it wrapped itself around the table.

I shifted uncomfortably.

I didn’t know what Beth was going through… but walking away now felt wrong.

To break the silence, Beth spoke again.

“Um… I heard Michael is back? Saw it on the class group chat.”

“Mmm. He is,” I said. “Encountered him a few times. Nothing much.”

She leaned forward a little.

“I heard he’s rich now. So his life abroad paid off?”

I snorted loudly.

“You believe that?” I scoffed. “Michael was never poor. He just wanted to play with my heart, my body, my mind… and run away. His family is among the top ten wealthiest in the country.”

Her eyes widened.

“Then… are you two back together? If you get back with him, the kids’ lives will improve.”

Her voice held concern. But it also held something else…

Fear?

Worry?

Pain?

I didn’t know.

But I didn’t detect it in that moment. I was too busy feeling annoyed.

“I am not getting back with that bastard,” I said immediately. “As for the kids, I will work hard to improve their lives. In a few years, they’ll be grown.”

“But what if—” she tried.

“Please don’t talk about that bastard here,” I cut her off. “I really don’t want to hear about him.”

She nodded quickly. “Alright.”

She shifted the topic to other classmates she met abroad, gossip, stories, funny moments, small gist.

I listened mostly. Nodding.Smiling softly. Throwing small comments here and there.

But I checked the time.

And sighed.

It was already past the time I planned to leave.

I waited for a pause, then stood a little.

“Beth, sorry but I have to leave,” I said softly. “I still have the kids to take care of. Remember, if you need something, just call me.”

She stared at me quietly.

Then—

“Mannie.”

Her voice was soft.

I paused.

“Do you ever regret giving birth to your kids?” she asked.

My breath stilled.

Then I smiled.

“No,” I said immediately. “They are my source of happiness. I would never regret that. They are pieces of me.”

Her eyes lowered.

“You don’t have your own kids, so you don’t know yet. Once you do, you’ll feel full of love for them,” I added.

“But look at you now,” she whispered. “You’re barely living. Before… you wouldn’t mind staying out with me so late. And your savings… everything disappeared so fast.”

I laughed softly and tapped her shoulder.

“When you get married and start having kids, you’ll understand. For now, just let it be.”

I stood fully this time and grabbed my bag.

Beth spoke again, quickly—

“Then what of Michael coming back and asking you to continue your relationship? You still need money for the kids…”

“I won’t go back. And I won’t accept,” I said. “My relationship with Michael is a thing of the past. I don’t even need to think twice.”

She sighed hard.

“You are just—”

Maybe she wanted to call me stubborn.

Or strong.

Or foolish.

I didn’t wait to know.

“Yup. Take care and be safe.” I said and turned to leave.